Ruhani & Dolma Will Premiere at Tasveer Film Festival
The science-fiction drama will debut at the 21st annual festival in Seattle this October.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Science Fiction
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The science-fiction drama Ruhani & Dolma will hold its world premiere at the 21st Tasveer Film Festival and Market in Seattle on October 13, 2026. Written, directed, and produced by Chandni Varma, the film stars Kalki Koechlin as a physicist exploring parallel universes.
Why it matters
The screening highlights the festival’s ongoing commitment to showcasing diverse stories from South Asia and the diaspora to a broader audience. It serves as a significant platform for independent cinema that bridges cultural narratives with speculative fiction themes.
The Tasveer Film Festival enters its 21st year of showcasing diverse South Asian narratives. The premiere will take place as part of the event's Moonless Ghamelas programme.
The players
Chandni Varma
She is the writer, director, and producer behind the science-fiction drama Ruhani & Dolma.
Kalki Koechlin
She is a prominent actress who stars as the lead physicist in the upcoming film.
Tasveer Film Festival
This annual Seattle-based event is dedicated to showcasing diverse films from South Asia and its global diaspora.
The details
The narrative centers on a physicist who embarks on a journey to scientifically confirm the existence of parallel dimensions. As a centerpiece of the Moonless Ghamelas programme, the film reflects the festival's focus on experimental and cross-cultural storytelling.
Timeline
The film will premiere on October 13, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The festival marks its 21st anniversary by continuing to position South Asian independent cinema within the global entertainment landscape. This evolution mirrors broader efforts in the film industry to diversify programming and elevate international genre-bending storytelling.
Attendees in the Seattle area can access the world premiere during the festival's run in October. Tickets and scheduling for the Moonless Ghamelas programme will be available through the official festival ticketing platform.
The takeaway
The film demonstrates how independent science fiction can be used to explore complex theoretical concepts like parallel universes. Audiences looking for unique narratives should track festival programming to see how filmmakers outside the major studio system approach genre storytelling.
Further reading
Discover more independent productions in the Science Fiction section.
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